Apparatus for determining the proximity of moving vehicles

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides means adaptable for use on vehicles to determine the proximity between vehicles. The apparatus generally provides means for transmitting a signal and means for receiving a signal on a vehicle with the transmitted signal preferably ultrasonic and proportional to the speed of the transmitting vehicle. The emission member is mounted on the transmitting vehicle in a manner so as to automatically selectively orient itself so that the transmitted signal follows the path of the vehicle under changing road contours and is preferably further provided with means for particular orientation for turns or merging traffic situations. The intensity of the transmitted signal is correlated with the speed of the vehicle through circuitry associated with the speedometer mechanism either as a means to vary the resistance on the transmitting circuit in ratio to the needle deflection of the speedometer or by use of the speedometer mechanism as a source for the generation of an electromotive force. Thus, a vehicle within the reception zone will receive a warning that it is in a hazard zone as between itself and another moving or stationary vehicle and that the distance between them should accordingly be adjusted. In its preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention further includes a hazard warning device integrated within the system for selected actuation during desired situations, generally when the transmitting vehicle is at rest or during lane changes or merging traffic.

United States Patent Spivak [451 May 9,1972

[54] APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE PROXIMITY OF MOVING VEHICLES DavidSpivak, One Washington Square Village, New York, NY. W012 221 Filed:Apr. 30, 1969 21 Appl.No.: 820,386

[72] inventor:

[52] US. Cl ..340/33 [51 Int. Cl. ..G08g 1/00 [58] Field of Search..340/33, 263,52 R, 53

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,628,345 2/1953 Tod..340/54 3,442,347 5/1969 Hodgson et al. ..340/53 X PrimaryE.\'aminerWilliam C. Cooper Attorney-Auslander and Thomas [5 7 ABSTRACTThe present invention provides means adaptable for use on vehicles todetermine the proximity between vehicles. The apparatus generallyprovides means for transmitting a signal and HAND SIGMA means forreceiving a signal on a vehicle with the transmitted signal preferablyultrasonic and proportional to the speed of the transmitting vehicle.The emission member is mounted on the transmitting vehicle in a mannerso as to automatically selectively orient itself so that the transmittedsignal follows the path of the vehicle under changing road contours andis preferably further provided with means for particular orientation forturns or merging trafiic situations.

The intensity of the transmitted signal is correlated with the speed ofthe vehicle through circuitry associated with the speedometer mechanismeither as a means to vary the resistance on the transmitting circuit inratio to the needle deflection of the speedometer or by use of thespeedometer mechanism as a source for the generation of an electromotiveforce.

Thus, a vehicle within the reception zone will receive a warning that itis in a hazard zone as between itself and another moving or stationaryvehicle and that the distance between them should accordingly beadjusted.

In its preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present inventionfurther includes a hazard warning device integrated within the systemfor selected actuation during desired situations, generally when thetransmitting vehicle is at rest or during lane changes or mergingtraffic.

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sum 2 OF 3 7'0 smss/au MEMBER Fee/w )RAA/SM/TI'ER MEMBER INVENTOR. DIV/0SP/VAK .4 TTOPA/ES APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE PROXIMITY OF MOVINGVEHICLES The present invention relates to an apparatus for determiningthe proximity of moving objects and more particularly for such apparatusfor vehicles.

Statistics indicate that death and/or serious injury is all too probableto those employing vehicular transportation. One of the major causes oftraffic accidents is the inability of one vehicle to stop in time toavoid collision with another vehicle due to what is commonly referred toas tail gating." While no doubt there are those who have a recklessdisregard for maintaining a proper distance between their vehicles andthe vehicles of others, by and large the driver of a vehicle oftentimesis unaware of the minimum safe distance requirements that should bemaintained. The combination of the high speed capabilities of modernvehicles with the relatively quiet environment within a moving vehicleoftentimes gives a driver a false indication as to the actual distanceneeded to stop his vehicle.

Even more difiicult to ascertain for the average driver is the speed ofapproach of a vehicle. Entrances to parkways are often backed up withvehicles since the driver or drivers in one or more of the cars on theentrance roadway is uncertain as to his ability to enter the maintraffic lanes from his slow moving or stopped position. In a like mannervehicles in the main traffic lane adjacent the entrance roadway do notsee, or observe too late the entrance of another vehicle from theentrance roadway to the main traffic lane.

While the concern respecting these problems has been marked, few if anytangible remedies have been suggested. In the past, it has beensuggested that the problem of tail gating could possibly be somewhatalleviated by the provision of an ultrasonic warning system within avehicle. The pulse-echo cycle of such a system was designed to actuatewarning devices in the emitting vehicle and such as by the blinking oflights or the like on the warning vehicle to those to the rear of it. Byand large such a system is relatively complex and has inherentlimitations. Such a system generally provides a fixedly mountedtransmission reception unit at the rear of the vehicle. Such a systemmay be somewhat accurate on straight roads, however, where curves orturns are encountered, the ultrasonic transmission does not follow thepath of a following vehicle and as such a dangerous condition may bepresent although undetected. Furthermore such a system is limited solelyto the problem of "tail gating.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus forthe determination of the proximity of vehicles which not only providesdata as to distances between moving vehicles on curved as well asstraight roadways, but additionally serves as a warning device formerging vehicles and/or as between a moving vehicle and a vehicle atrest.

The present invention provides a constant transmission of a signalpreferably from the rear of one vehicle to a receiving unit, preferablyat the front on another vehicle. The signal transmitted preferablyemploys the ultrasonic doppler frequency of l0,000 to 30,000 c.p.s. dueto the highly directional features of such a signal with the intensityof the signal directly correlated to the speed of the transmittingvehicle.

The transmission device itself is so mounted within the vehicle as toautomatically orient the transmitter towards a following vehicle. Thevariable orientation of the transmitter further provides the meanswhereby the presence of another vehicle or vehicles during merging orduring lane changes is readily ascertainable.

In its preferred embodiment the present invention provides means wherebya distressed vehicle can emit a hazard warning to approaching vehicles.

As hereinafter more particularly described the present inventiongenerally comprises means on a vehicle to receive an ultrasonic signaland means to transmit an ultrasonic signal with the transmission meansincluding means to vary the intensity of the transmitted signal indirect correlation to the speed of the transmitting vehicle and means"to moveably mount the signal emission member of the signaltransmissionmeans whereby the signal emission member alters its orientation inrelationship to the path of movement of the transmitting vehicle.

Although such novel feature or features believed to be characteristic ofthe 'invention'are pointed out in the claims, the invention and themanner in which it may be-carried out may be further understood byreference to the description following and the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. la and lb'are front and rear views respectively of a vehicleincluding the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a signalreceiving system of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a signal transmitting system of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partially schematic and partly in sectionshowing a signal transmitting arrangement of the present invention.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are elevational views of an emission member mounting ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the emissionmember mounting of FIGS. Sand 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view partly in section and partly schematic of asignal transmitting arrangement of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the system of FIG. 8 integrated with thesystem of the present invention.

Referring now to the figures in greaterdetail, where like referencenumbers denote like parts in the various figures.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1a and lb, the apparatus of the presentinvention is mounted to the front and rear of a vehicle 1 with thesignal reception member 4 of the signal reception means 2located alongthe front end of the vehicle 1 and the signal emission member 5 of thesignal transmission means 3 located along the rear of the vehicle 1.

While the vehicle 1 has been illustrated in the form of an automobile itis readily appreciated that the apparatus of the present invention issuitable for use with other vehicles such as trucks, trains, water craftor the like.

The signal reception member 4 as shown in FIG. 2 is preferably atransducer such as a piezo-electric crystal or the like which is adaptedto receive and respond to an ultrasonic signal of varying intensity. Incircuit with the reception member 4 is-a meter 6 or any other indicatorwhich is mounted in the vehicle within the line of sight of the vehicleoperator, such as on the dashboard of a car. If desired, a buzzer orother audible indicator (not shown) could be made a part of thecircuitry so as to produce an audible warning when the received signalreached-a given intensity or amplitude. The audible signal should be awhining one,and tamperproof, and thus not easily ignored by a driver. Insuch case, it would be desirable that the audible signal only be heardwhen the following vehicle is actually in a danger zone.

The signal transmission means 3 illustrated in FIG. 3 generallyprovides, a transmitter 7 which includes a power source (not shown) suchas the storage battery of the vehicle and means (not shown) to initiatethe desired electric signal at a given intensity level such asamplifiers or the like. In circuit with the transmitter 7 is theemission member 5 such as a transducer.

So as to vary the amplitude of the signal with the speed of the vehiclethe circuit between the transmitter 7 and the emission member 5 includessignal varying means such as the speedometer 8, potentiometerarrangement most clearly illustrated in FIG. 4.

The speedometer 8 is, except as hereinafter modified substantiallysimilar to those known in the art and includes a speedometer cable 10adapted to rotation either by connection (not shown) to the wheels ortransmission of a vehicle; a field plate 11'; a permanent magnet 12affixed to the speedometer cable 10 and adapted to rotate; a speed cup13 mounted so as to react to the magnetic field set up by the rotatingmagnet 12; and an indicator needle 14 operably linked to the speed cup13 for correlated movement in relationship to the movement of the speedcup 13. The indicator needle 14 is generally spring biased by spring 28to a given position, generally the zero indication on the indiciamarkings normally found on the plate 15 of the speedometer 8. As thecable rotates so does the magnet 12 and the speed of rotation of themagnet 12 determines the degree of deflection of the speed cup 13 whichin turn determinesthe position of the indicator needle 14 relative tothe indicia (not shown) on the face of the plate 15.

As shown in FIG. 4 the potentiometer 9 is mounted to the rear of theplate 15 and is aligned along the plate 15 so as to provide a varyingdegree of resistance in direct correlation to the degree of deflectionof the speed cup 13. A moveable contact 16 in circuit with thetransmitter 7 is affixed to the speed cup 13 and as the speed cup 13deflects the point of contact as between the moveable contact 16 and thepotentiometer 9 is altered.

The circuit to the signal emission member 5 is completed through thepotentiometer 9. Thus, the resistance is variable and correlatively thesignal intensity is variable depending upon the speed of thetransmitting vehicle.

The slower the speed of the transmitting vehicle, the greater theresistance and the lesser the intensity of the signal. Thus, a tailgating warning as between two moving vehicles is efi'ected with thecorrelation of speed to signal intensity with a given intensity ofsignal as emitted by the emission member 5 effecting a desired responsein the signal reception means 2 in the following vehicle.

A following vehicle is thus made aware of the speed of the vehicle infront of it and will be warned to maintain the desired safe distancebetween vehicles.

If desired the problems of spacing attendant upon a situation wherein afollowing vehicle is rapidly closing upon a slower moving vehicle can bereadily provided for by providing in addition to the signal receptionmeans 2 illustrated in FIG. 2 circuitry which will also cause a warningreading on the meter 6 due to the rapid increase of the transmittedsignal.

In addition to the correlated speed intensity signal transmitted ahazard warning signal can be emitted. As shown in FIG. 3 the circuitthrough the potentiometer 9 can be bypassed by the closing of the switch17. So, for example a vehicle at rest can, by the closing of the switch17 warn another vehicle as to its presence through the emission of ahigh intensity signal. The switch 17 can be in circuit with any desiredactuating means, such as the toggle switch or the like (not shown) whichactuates the hazard warning lights now required on all new automobiles;or, as shown in FIG. 3 the switch may be closed upon actuation of theturn signals of a vehicle.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the moveable mounting of the signal emissionmember 5 of the present invention. So as to allow for the properreception of the signal by a following vehicle, the signal transmittedfrom the rear of the transmitting vehicle should be mounted in a mannerto orient the emission member 5 towards the following vehicle. A fixedmounting is generally unsuitable especially in motor vehicles where roadcurvature is constantly encountered and an axial alignment of vehiclesin the same traffic lane is not always maintained.

The emission member 5 is fixed secured to an elongated member 18horizontally disposed and pivotally mounted to a support base 19 such asthrough a vertical pivot post 20. The support base 19 is preferably araised platform having a vertical surface 21 at least along one sidethereof. One end of the elongated member 18 includes a verticallydepending lip portion 22 which extends from the elongated member 18 froma point spaced apart from the surface of the support base.

A pendulum 23 is pivotally affixed to the vertical surface 21 and ispreferably spaced apart from the vertical surface by the pivotal member24. The pendulum 23 is further slidably engaged with the lip 22 on theelongated member 18 such as by providing a slot 25 along a section ofthe vertical arm of the 1 pendulum 23 and by positioning a rivet 26 orthe like through the slot with the flange on the head of the rivet 26juxtaposed to the outer surface of the pendulum 23 and anchoring therivet 26 to the lip 22.

As the transmitting vehicle turns, such as in going around a curve thependulum 23 will be inertially maintained in its rest position and asshown in FIG. 6, where the direction of the vehicle is indicated by thearrow A, the emission member 5 is oriented to emit its signal, indicatedby the arrow B towards the circumference of the turn.

The orientation will thus be effected upon any change in orientation ofthe vehicle. On entrances to main roadways where the entranceway isoftentimes an angulated roadway angling in towards the main trafficlanes the orientation caused by the directional shifting of the vehiclewill position the emission member 5 to emit a signal which is receivablenot only by a following vehicle on the entranceway, but also by thevehicles on the main traffic lanes of the road.

If desired, as illustrated in FIG. 7 means may be provided for themechanical actuation of the lever or elongated member 18 so that theelongated member 18 is pivotal in response to the pendulum 23 andfurther actuatable for specified purposes by other means such as thesolenoids 27,27a positioned on the support surface 19 along both sidesof the elongated member 18. The solenoids 27,27a are shown actuatable bythe turn signal mechanisms on the vehicle. If the right hand turn signalis'actuated the solenoid 27a will engage the side of the elongatedmember 18 to orient the emission member 5 to emit its signals towardsthe right and to the rear of the vehicle. If the left hand turn signalis actuated, the solenoid 27 will engage the side of the elongatedmember to orient the emission member 5 to emit its signals towards theleft and b to the rear of the vehicle.

Since, as shown in FIG. 3 the hazard switch 17 which bypasses thepotentiometer 9 may be actuatable by the turn signal mechanism anintense signal will be emitted as a warning to other vehicles eventhough turns and/or entrances to and from parkways are usuallynegotiated at relatively low speeds or from an initial standingposition.

While as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 the intensity of the signal can beregulated by providing means in association with the speedometerintermediate the transmitter 7 and the emission member 5, as illustratedin FIGS. 8 and 9 the speedometer can be modified so as to act as theinitiating generator for the signal.

As shown in FIG. 8 a conductive strip 29 is emplaced within the speedcup 13 with leads 30 from the conductive strip 29 to a transmitter 31(shown in FIG. 9). The permanent magnet 12 rotates within the speed cup13 in the manner heretofore described with the field plate 11 rotatingin registry with the magnet 12. The magnetic flux generated passes atright angles to the conductive strip 29 inducing a current directlyproportionate to the magnitude of the flux.

This in turn is the direct function of the speed of rotation of thespeedometer cable thus the current directed to the transmitter 31 toenergize the same is in direct ratio to the speed of the vehicle. Thehazard signal circuitry is integratable with the foregoing asillustrated in FIG. 9. Upon the closing of the switch 17 the hazardsignal circuit through the transmitter 31 will be closed, with the powersource illustrated as the auto battery 32 although a supplemental powersource could readily be employed.

The terms and expressions which are employed are used as terms ofdescription; it is recognized, though that various modificationsarepossible.

Having thus described certain forms of the invention in some detail,what is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for determining the proximity of moving vehicles comprisingultrasonic reception means on a vehicle to receive a transmitted signal,said signal reception means mounted at a point along the front endsection of said vehicle said reception means including means adapted toa variable response dependent upon the intensity of the received signal,

means on said vehicle to transmit an ultrasonic signal, saidtransmitting means including means to emit an ultrasonic signal, saidsignal emission means moveably mounted at a point along the rear endsection of said vehicle said signal emission means including a supportbase, a horizontal member pivotally mounted to said support base; avertical portion on said horizontal member at a point on said horizontalmember extending beyond the periphery of said support base; a pendulumpivotally affixed to said support base at a right angle to saidhorizontal member, said pendulum slidably engaged to the verticalportion of said horizontal member, said signal emission means fixedlymounted to said horizontal member, means to vary the intensity of saidultrasonic signal in proportion to the speed of said transmittingvehicle, and said pendulum on said pivot moveable to tend to maintainsaid signal emission means oriented in relation to the path of movementof said vehicle.

2. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein said varying intensitymeans includes a moveable contact and variable resistance means incircuit with and intermediate of said signal generation means and saidsignal emission member whereby said contact is adapted to close acircuit with said variable resistance means with varying degrees ofresistance dependent upon the speed of said vehicle.

3. The invention as claimed in claim 2 wherein said signal transmissionmeans includes a speedometer having a field plate, rotatable magnet anda speed cup and said moveable contact is affixed to the speed cup ofsaid speedometer and said variable resistance means includes apotentiometer disposed along the rear of the face plate of saidspeedometer in predetermined registry with selected areas of said faceplate.

4. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein said signal transmissionmeans includes a speedometer having a field plate, rotatable magnet anda speed cup and conductive means interposed at right angles to themagnetic flux created by said rotatable magnet.

5. The invention as claimed in claim 1 further including supplementalmeans adapted to selectively pivot said horizontal member.

6. The invention as claimed in claim 5 wherein said supplemental meansinclude solenoids disposed along at least one side of said horizontalmember.

1. Apparatus for determining the proximity of moving vehicles comprisingultrasonic reception means on a vehicle to receive a transmitted signal,said signal reception means mounted at a point along the front endsection of said vehicle said reception means including means adapted toa variable response dependent upon the intensity of the received signal,means on said vehicle to transmit an ultrasonic signal, saidtransmitting means including means to emit an ultrasonic signal, saidsignal emission means moveably mounted at a point along the rear endsection of said vehicle said signal emission means including a supportbase, a horizontal member pivotally mounted to said support base; avertical portion on said horizontal member at a point on said horizontalmember extending beyond the periphery of said support base; a pendulumpivotally affixed to said support base at a right angle to saidhorizontal member, said pendulum slidably engaged to the verticalportion of said horizontal member, said signal emission means fixedlymounted to said horizontal member, means to vary the intensity of saidultrasonic signal in proportion to the speed of said transmittingvehicle, and said pendulum on said pivot moveable to tend to maintainsaid signal emission means oriented in relation to the path of movementof said vehicle.
 2. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidvarying intensity means includes a moveable contact and variableresistance means in circuit with and intermediate of said signalgeneration means and said signal emission member whereby said contact isadapted to close a circuit with said variable resistance means withvarying degrees of resistance dependent upon the speed of said vehicle.3. The invention as claimed in claim 2 wherein said signal transmissionmeans includes a speedometer having a field pLate, rotatable magnet anda speed cup and said moveable contact is affixed to the speed cup ofsaid speedometer and said variable resistance means includes apotentiometer disposed along the rear of the face plate of saidspeedometer in predetermined registry with selected areas of said faceplate.
 4. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein said signaltransmission means includes a speedometer having a field plate,rotatable magnet and a speed cup and conductive means interposed atright angles to the magnetic flux created by said rotatable magnet. 5.The invention as claimed in claim 1 further including supplemental meansadapted to selectively pivot said horizontal member.
 6. The invention asclaimed in claim 5 wherein said supplemental means include solenoidsdisposed along at least one side of said horizontal member.